Friar Side Chats

"Love is patient, love is kind, love is..." We all know the classic wedding day reading from Saint Paul. But for many of us, that very first virtue eludes us most days: Patience. In a world that seems to push back against slowness, rest, love of enemy, and letting go of control, it's especially essential that we learn how to cultivate patience in our daily lives. Join us for the latest Friar Side Chats episode as we explore this underappreciated virtue! From the fruits of patience in our relationships, to reorienting ourselves to God's time, to Fr. Mike's own weakness in patience—it's an episode you won't want to miss. After all, we're recipients of Jesus' patience (and love) every day, even in our worst moments. Isn't it time for us to grow in patience (and love) for ourselves and others?

Friar Side Chats is back for a fresh season! In today's episode we’re challenged to take a look back at our own spiritual history: where our journey began, how we got to where we are today, and the role God has played in all of it. Between pivotal moments in our lives and people who have helped us along the way, God has been working in our lives every small step of the way. So join the Friar Side Chats crew as together we explore how to see God’s presence more clearly and why we need to know and own our personal spiritual story.

Here we are in the middle of an unprecedented summer. In Durham, we’re worshipping in a parking garage; at home, you’re wearing masks with family and friends; in our communities, we’re marching and advocating and learning. The good news amidst it all is the Good News: that Jesus came to live among us, that His love for us is abundant, and that He is with us no matter what we’re facing or how we’re feeling. But not just in some pie-in-the-sky, sending-good-vibes kind of way. In some very real, tangible, and creative ways—if we’re willing to look for them. So join us in this episode of Friar Side Chats as we dig into the complexity of returning to Mass, the difference between external practices and internal relationship, and so much more. (Plus a special segment devised by Fr. Mike to test your Catholic saint trivia!)

This week, we sat down to chat not about Tiger King or Zoom fatigue but about the unexpected blessings and spiritual takeaways from this time of quarantine. We invite you to join us for a Friar Side Chats episode that asks: What’s going to be the defining outcome of this time for you? What has been a surprise blessing of the past two months? What can you do when faced with anxiety about the future or frustration in your own home? Not to mention Fr. Mike’s attempt at spicing up the podcast with a game segment… (Yes, really. Complete with theme music and audience reactions...) Come for Fr. Mike’s creativity, but stay for the fresh ideas on a more spiritual outlook of this time.

When we look at people whose faith we admire, there’s often a common thread running through their lives: regular and intentional prayer. So what is it about prayer that makes it so powerful? How can we make it a bigger part of our lives? And importantly: why is it sometimes so hard?? With the DCC’s Lenten theme of Prayer in mind, we invite you to join us in this episode of Friar Side Chats as we dig into these questions and more. With these 40 days of Lent, it’s the perfect time to begin making prayer a part of your daily routine!

What happens when we find ourselves in a culture in need of change? Whether we're dealing with the messy issues of life on a team, in an org on campus, or within a community — what power do we have to move the needle? Join us as we sit down with Duke's Head Coach for Men's Lacrosse, John Danowski, to talk about shifting a culture, staying rooted in what's important, and an ethos we could all benefit from. Are you ready to become a force for change in your relationships on and off campus?

The age old problem of pain and suffering in the world isn’t new to any of us. But each time heartbreak or tragedy strikes us, our loved ones, or our community, we often find ourselves grappling all over again with finding meaning in the midst of suffering. And for many of us, the temptation is to settle into the “everything happens for a reason” narrative. But what are we really saying when we decide to place the reason for heartache on “God’s plan”? There has to be something deeper to hold on to, to trust in. Join us for a powerful conversation about empty platitudes, finding meaning in suffering, and truly embracing God’s grace in a sometimes broken reality.

We surrounded all the time by the idea that leadership is the pinnacle of personal, professional, and academic development. But, while we may be called to take the lead at times, are we be putting the cart before the horse if we’re not first striving to be solid followers? From habits and qualities we should strive to cultivate as followers, to the spiritual ramifications of being afraid of followership — join us as we explore the other side of the leadership coin. And get ready to ask yourself: Is there an upside to being a follower in a world that tells us that leadership is what really counts?

The witness of poverty found in St. Francis of Assisi begs the question: How do we embody a life of poverty in this modern age? Listen in with us as we wrestle with questions of resisting the idols of financial security, personal pride, and more. Get a look into what solidarity with the poor actually means. Also, encounter the mystery of sacrifice and freedom found in letting go and trusting Jesus.

How would you describe your prayer life? Is your answer along the lines of “I pray before bed”? In this episode of the Friar Side Chats, Fr. Mike questions whether this prayer practice is sufficient for building a relationship with our God who loves us and wants us to know Him. But don’t stress if that’s where you are. We are bringing the recommendations! From how timing of day matters, to different prayer methods, to our favorite apps for spurring on our daily prayer. As you begin to fall into your routine for the new semester, there’s no better episode to help you prepare to incorporate prayer in a meaningful way. Reimagine your prayer life with us and experience the impact on your daily life!

At a place like Duke where accomplishments and scores get you in and GPAs and theses carry you out, it’s all too easy to get caught up in the achievement-proves-worth cycle. And yet at the same time, God truly has brought each of us here to achieve incredible things with the gifts He’s given us! So how are we supposed to pursue excellence in a healthy way? Turns out the answer is simple but the practice is challenging. Are you up for asking yourself difficult questions and discovering where you might be placing your worth? If you are, join us for this week’s episode of Friar Side Chats, and get ready to ask yourself seven whys... And as a bonus, you’ll get to hear Fr. Mike’s one and only all-nighter experience!

Known as the patron of our difficult time, Saint Maximilian Kolbe is a modern witness of love and sacrifice in the face of great hatred and violence. With the recent mass shootings in mind, this episode dives into what it means to love radically in a world of violence. We'll explore the life of St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Franciscan friar who died in Auschwitz after sacrificing his life so that a fellow inmate could live. Declared a martyr of charity, a distinction from a martyr of faith, this saint is a modern testimony to the triumph of love over hate. Although most of us will not be martyred for our faith, St. Maximillian Kolbe demonstrates how through our love we can all live out a particular type of martyrdom.

Parents. They cooked hundreds of meals for us, drove us to countless competitions and practices, and helped us become the people we are today. Of course we’re grateful! And yet, at the same time, we can find ourselves frustrated when we feel they’re holding on too tightly or pushing us out of the nest too soon or simply not living up to our expectations. There’s no perfect path for navigating the ever-changing landscape of parent-child relationships — but there are some tips and strategies to help smooth out the process. With personal insights, scriptural encouragement, and a practical challenge for listeners, this episode will help you learn to love and relate to your parents in a fresh way! Definitely a must-listen for any young adult navigating their twenties!

This week on Friar Side Chats, Fr. Mike and Emma draw on the Gospel story of Mary and Martha and choosing the better part. It's a classic example of how our perspective and focus can completely shift our experience and relationship with Jesus. Who will you identify with in the story? Are you a Mary or a Martha? (Spoiler: Emma and Fr. Mike are Marthas…) Are you driven more to contemplation or to action? Join the Friar Side Chats crew as they explore ways we can cultivate a spiritual life that finds Christ in both the quiet time and the busyness of everyday life.

Whether we’re running our favorite trail, soaking up some rays on the beach, or even just walking to class — it’s hard to deny that being in nature captures something in us. After all, God went wild when he created our world and He designed it all to be appreciated and loved by humanity! Join Fr. Mike and Emma in this refreshing episode as they explore how they engage with God through nature and offer suggestions for how we, too, can hear God’s voice speaking to us through His creation. Maybe you’ll even be inspired to head outside after listening!

In the burning and collapse of the spire at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris the world lost an important piece of history, an intricate work of art, a teacher for the people, a sacred place to pray, and so much more. Here at Duke, we're blessed to see and encounter beautiful buildings everyday — but what do they mean to us? Do we take the time to consider the greater purpose of places like the Duke Chapel and Notre Dame? This weekend, join Fr. Mike and Emma as they explore the transcendent nature of places like Notre Dame, awe-inspiring churches here in North America, and how we can better appreciate the sacred spaces in our everyday lives.

Why does stepping away from campus or just into the summer often find us falling away from our Mass and prayer commitment? Maybe we can move from pressing pause on our spiritual journey to seeing the summer months for what they really are: an opportunity to dig more deeply and shore ourselves up for the busy academic year ahead! With tips for forming new summer routines to help you along the way, join Fr. Mike and Emma as they explore how we can make the most of this time of “not school.”

Silence and stillness are so crucial for us as humans: for our growth, for self-discovery, and for our relationship with God. But why is it often so awkward and uncomfortable for us to sit with ourselves in silence — in prayer or otherwise? Is there a way to move past the frustration of feeling like you’re just hearing your own voice? YES. Yes, there really is. In this episode, Fr. Mike and Emma share their personal experiences with growing to appreciate silence and explore the ways in which cultivating silence is a marathon and not a sprint.

Focusing in on the Duke Catholic Center’s Lenten theme of Forgiveness, Fr. Mike and Emma dig into the three different aspects we most often struggle with: forgiving ourselves, forgiving others, and seeking forgiveness from Jesus. With great tips for finding and giving forgiveness without reservation, as well as top book and movie recommendations for exploring the theme more deeply — this episode will inspire you to better love those around you.

Duke alum and former walk-on quarterback Rob Collins joins Emma and Fr. Mike in a deep discussion on how faith can fit into the high-pressure careers that so many Duke students aspire to. Drawing on his personal experience as a Duke engineer and consultant at Deloitte, Rob shares how getting back to basics has been key for his career and his life. In a world where it can be all too easy to step back from our faith when we are so caught up in trying to achieve our dreams, Rob outlines how none of it matters without faith and personal relationship with Christ.